Howie angled the BMW alongside the curb then shut the ignition off with an audible click. He couldn’t undo his seat belt fast enough and the driver’s door seemed hell bent on making his life miserable. When he had finally successfully untangled himself from the rental car, Howie straightened the collar of his simple white dress shirt and smoothed the front of his khaki slacks. The reason for frivolous concern with his appearance and difficulty with the vehicle was simple: Chemelyn.
She and Malone had set aside the evening prior as what Chem had affectionately called “girl’s night out”. Despite the distraction Derik had attempted to offer, Howie hadn’t been able to keep his mind off the petite brunette while he had tried reasoning with himself repeatedly, the memory of her smile was liable to make him break into a spontaneous grin, prompting Derik to question his sanity.
Howie began to climb the steps to Chemelyn’s third floor flat. Not for the first time, he wondered what she saw in the old building. True, it held a certain friendly aura; true, she had transformed her loft with the help of a wonderful decor. But that didn’t erase the time worn tiles covering the floor of the entry hall, or the cracks in the plaster of the walls, revealing the brick underneath. Howie had to admit the antiquity of the place was charming, but the sparkling brilliance of the new fixtures and commodities of his condos back in Florida seemed to outshine that. And yet, somehow, it Chemelyn.
A familiar voice interrupted his wandering thoughts.
“Hey Howie,” Malone’s smiling face greeted him from the next flight up.
“Morning. Is she-”
“Awake yet? Just. I kept her up late, talking long into the night.”
“Ah,” Howie grinned, “So there’s a chance she’s not yet decent?” he asked with an evil glint in his chocolate eyes. Malone returned the expression with a smirk.
“You’ll just have to find out. See you later.” The last was tossed over his shoulder as he skipped down the rest of the stairs, exiting the brick monstrosity with a jangle of the bell hanging above the door.
Practically flying up the remaining steps, Howie found himself in front of Chemelyn’s apartment. Pushing the panel open, he rapped on the doorframe with his knuckles.
“Hola Senorita?”
“In the kitchen,” came the faint reply. Moving across the living room, Howie took note of the empty container of ice cream, a pile of tissues, the movie jacket for “Casablanca”, and a 1/2 full bottle of liquor.
As he came into the kitchen, Howie couldn’t help but grin at the sight of Chemelyn, sitting on he island counter. Her hair was still bound in two plaits, several tresses having escaped to curl at her temples. She wore only an oversized pajama top, exposing a good portion of her alabaster thighs, skin so smooth it made him want to run his palms over her just to memorize the texture. Hands wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee, Chemelyn smiled sleepily as he entered the room.
“Hi.”
“Hi yourself,” Howie came to stand in front of her, gently pushing her knees apart to allow room for his body. His eyes nearly drifted shut in pleasure as he felt her legs pressing softly against his sides. “Had quite a part last night, huh?”
“You saw the damage?” she asked, gesturing lightly toward the living area.
“Mmm. The two of you made that mess?”
“We had a little help from our good friends Ben, Jerry, and Jack Daniels.”
Howie chuckled and brushed a tendril of hair back from her face. “Too tied to spend the day with me?”
“Never,” Chemelyn’s eyes twinkled brightly, a brilliant sapphire in the early morning light which shone through the tall windows. “What’d you have in mind? Anything in particular?”
“We’ll discuss that later. For now, why don’t you jump in the shower while I take care of this mess,” the suggestion was offered lovingly as he gently caressed her cheek with his palm before plucking the mug of java from her grasp.
“Are you sure?” she asked hesitantly.
“Positive,” he replied, helping Chemelyn off the island, giving her hands a squeeze. They shared a smile before she reluctantly moved in the direction of the staircase. Howie leaned back against the counter, folded his arms across his chest and sighed in appreciation of the view of her receding form. Chemelyn turned at the base of the steps, casting a glance over her shoulder. Their eyes met and she gave him a knowing grin.
“Have I told you, you’re incredibly sexy in the morning?” Howie smirked provoking Chemelyn’s giggle.
“I think I’d better lock the bathroom door behind myself.”
“Yes, you’d better,” Howie agreed matter of factly, his orbs sparkling with a mischievous light, “I can guarantee I’ll be using up my reserves of self control to keep from knocking that door down. You sure you don’t need someone to wash your back?”
“I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours!” Chemelyn’s laughter rang through the loft as Howie turned on the faucet at the kitchen sink and proceeded to rinse the dishes in cold water before loading them into the washer.
*****
A half an hour later, Howie was channel surfing in the living room as he lounged on the couch waiting for Chemelyn to make an appearance. He stretched languidly.
Suddenly, a pair of cool hands slid across his features, covering his eyes. “Guess who?” demanded a husky voice in his ear. The feel of her warm breath on his skin combined with the sweet scent of her rosemary body wash made his head spin. When one of her palms abandoned his face and began to slide teasingly down his chest, Howie reached back, hauling her across the sofa and into his arms. He took to nuzzling her throat immediately, pressing a delicate kiss to her moist lips.
“You’ve become wanton, Miss Clavaro,” he breathed, continuing to lavish butterfly kisses on her neck.
“Only when it comes to you.”
The two lay there, each relishing the feel of the other’s embrace. Howie played absently with Chemelyn’s hand, splayed over his chest. He kissed each fingertip lightly, nibbling on the pad of her thumb but letting the flat of her hand rest on himself.
“I can feel your heart beat,” she murmured. In response, he gently caressed the pulse point in her neck with his mouth, simultaneously stroking the small of her back lightly.
“It’s racing. So is yours.”
“With good reason.”
“Likewise, I’m sure. You’re a very seductive woman, Chem,” Howie confessed. His tone turned teasing, “After all, I’ve been in Seattle an entire week and I’ve yet to see the Space Needle. I just haven’t been able to tear myself away from you. Shame, isn’t it?”
“Are you being serious?” she craned her neck to look up at him, “You truly haven’t seen it?”
“Oh, I’m quite somber, I assure you,” came his response, though he felt amusement well inside his heart as he saw her brow furrowed in displeasure and her eyes narrowed in consternation.
“We’ll just have to do something about that. Come on,” she bid, rising and grasping his arm in an attempt to coax him upright. “You haven’t lived ‘til you’ve seen Seattle from a vantage point of hundreds of feet above the earth. Trust me.”
*****
The sun shone overhead, likely shedding the last rays of the season on the city below. Autumn was taking shape in earnest, evident in the riotous leaves, flickering gold and ruby in the breeze. Small trees and other foliage lined the brick and cement walkways, a bit of nature comforting amid the modern buildings.
“Welcome to Seattle Center, home of the IMAX theater, the Key Arena, the Pacific Science Center, a modest amusement park, and the object of our quest - the Space Needle,” Chemelyn introduced grandly with a sweeping arc of her arm, “Normally, it would be much more crowded, but the summer has passed and that’s the only season the amusement park operates.”
“Were you a tour guide in a past life?”
“The Space Needle is this way.”
“That incredibly large, incredibly tall, incredibly.....prominent structure?”
“The one and the same.”
“Oh. How, may I ask, are we going to get to the top? Fly?”
“Several elevators with expansive glass windows act as shuttles back and forth.”
“I see. What are we waiting for?”
*@*
“Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, it’s the most famous landmark of Seattle, gaining recognition all over the country. Standing 520 feet tall, the entire city is visible from the rotating observation deck-”
“Wait, we’re moving?” Howie interrupted Chemelyn’s audio commentary, tearing her attention from the promotional pamphlet she had been reading.
“Uh huh. The crown of the Needle circulates. It takes about an hour to complete one rotation. My mom used to tell me you could tell if a date was going well when you saw the same view you sat down to at least twice.”
“I don’t usually have a fear of heights, but then, I’ve never been suspended above the ground twisting like a clown’s china on the tip of a pole.”
Chemelyn laughed at his analogy and allowed herself to be enveloped in his arms. The feel of her body pressed against his muscular frame nearly induced shivers running up and down her spine. He was wonderfully strong and made her feel secure by his side, as though they were nestled in a warm cocoon entirely of their own making, the fibers spun of love.
The day was moderately clear, most of Seattle visible in miniature from their perch. The sparkling cyan of the Puget Sound offset the gray tones of the surrounding buildings. Seemingly tiny cars, buses, and the vehicles moved frantically beneath them, emphasizing the peaceful pleasure of being set apart.
“You know what this reminds me of?” Howie began quietly. Chemelyn waited patiently for him to continue. “After a particularly grueling performance, I sometimes gaze out the window of the plane as we’re taking off. While darkness fills the sky, the city lights twinkle like fallen stars. Suddenly, you realize that you’re only a small fraction of the universe. No matter how big of a problem you may experiencing, it doesn’t matter - not in the life or death sense. There are people all over the world who’re a lot worse off.” Howie’s eyes pulled away from the scene before them to meet hers intensely. “It makes you appreciative of all your blessings.....like those you love.”
He kissed her then, touching her mouth with his own in a soft caress. Chemelyn’s arms looped about his neck of their own violation, while Howie’s hands slid up and down her back rhythmically. Slanting his head slightly, he gave in to the desire rushing through his veins and deepened the kiss. Their tongues met in a gentle duel which soon became a heated quest for the upper hand. His palms resting on her waist held so tightly she was certain there would be bruises on the morrow. When he pulled her hips against his, Chemelyn’s head swam so badly, she wasn’t quite certain her feet were planted on a solid surface.
Finally, the need for oxygen forced their mouths apart though their hold on one another did not lessen in the least.
“I think,” Chemelyn hazarded breathlessly, “we should go down now.”
“Oh?”
“Mmhmmm. I just might float up among the clouds if you keep kissing me like that.”
“We can’t have that happening, now can we?” His mocha eyes were scintillating, boring into her on as they silently sent a message of love and devotion, tinged with good humor.
After successfully navigating the rest of the observation deck, the pair made the return trip in the glass elevator, both thankful to be planted once again on firm ground.
As they strolled leisurely toward the international food court for a bite to eat, Chemelyn became acutely aware of her hand enfolded in Howie’s. She realized with a start, that she was a part of something she had always envied; one half of a whole. Without Howie by her side the past 3 months, she had felt incomplete. But now....now, Chemelyn was experiencing the missing element of their relationship. Physical contact. While many couples would be preoccupied with the sexual aspect of a relationship, it was not purely that facet which she craved. It was the little things, like holding hands and kissing softly, that were emotionally fulfilling.
Glancing beside her, a familiar warm flush welled within Chemelyn, working it’s way even to the tips of her toes. Howie caught her stare and smiled hesitantly, though with mild amusement. “What?”
“I was just thinking about how lucky I am.”
“Believe me, the feeling is entirely mutual.”
The food court was filled with a dozen and a half kiosks, each selling cuisine of diverse national origin. In addition, to the prerequisite pizza place, there was also Oriental Yakisoba, Greek salad, and Sushi. Instead of splitting up to brave the court alone in an effort to save time, Chemelyn and Howie opted to wander the indoor square together, sampling as they went.
Finally deciding on a generous helping of chicken yakisoba with two sets of chopsticks, the couple meandered out the way they had come, carrying the dish to the courtyard of Seattle Center. Sandwiched between the Key Arena and the food court, a majestic fountain was situated. Made entirely of brick and cobblestones, the fountain resembled a large bowl, it’s walls concave, sloping down to the spouting columns of water in the center. The structure was so monstrous, visitors to the Center had taken to sitting and playing in the radial formation, even running in amid the streams of water to cool off in the summer.
Settling themselves on the edge of the fountain, Howie and Chemelyn dinned among the riotous fall colors.
“I think I need a refresher course in these things,” Howie joked, referring to his dining implements as he fiddled with them in an attempt to find the correct niche in his fingers.
“Here,” Chemelyn offered with a smile, “let me.” She began to mold his hand into the correct position to accommodate the simple lengths of wood. Howie sighed t her touch, loving the feel of her skin against his. It was something he’d never grow tired of.
A presence at his elbow prompted Howie to glance beside him. There, he found a wide pair of baby blue eyes returning his stare. Chubby cheeks, a button nose, and wispy blonde hair accentuated the sparkling orbs. “Chem, I think we have a visitor,” he informed her softly. As her eyes gaze rested on the child, a tender expression spread across her features.
“Hello there.”
“Hi!” came the exuberant reply accompanied by a gap toothed grin. “Do you wanna see my Pokémon?” the child invited, thrusting a pudgy hand in their direction, a small yellow creature in her grasp.
“That’s a very nice stuffed animal,” Chemelyn complimented.
“His name is Pikachu.”
“I see. Do you have Bulbasaur as well?” Howie inquired, completely missing the way the woman beside him starred wide eyed in surprise at his knowledge of toy species.
The little cherub like girl nodded excitedly. “I got Bulbasaur for my birthday, but Pikachu is my favorite. Do you wanna hold him?” The last word of the question was spoken just as a young mother several yards away noticed her child had strayed. Looking disheveled and ready for a break, the maternal parent hurried up behind the girl.
“Kelsie!” she scolded, “You’re not to run off. Remember that.” while pulling little one into her arms, the mother’s focus shifted to the couple her daughter had interrupted. “I hope she didn’t bother you too badly,” came the apologetic acknowledgement.
“No, no, not at all,” Howie assured her with a smile.
”She’s a very beautiful child,” Chemelyn added.
“Thank you. Come along Kelsie; Daddy and Eric are waiting.” As the familial pair waved goodbye, Chemelyn turned inquiring eyes toward the man beside her.
“What?” he asked, wielding his chopsticks with ease.
“How did you know about that stuffed toy Kelsie had?” she wondered, amusement twinkling in her azure spheres.
“The Pokémon?” he raised an eyebrow, “Easy. You’re forgetting I’m an uncle three times over. When Uncle Howard comes to visit, it’s time to whip out the action figures, cards, videos, and other paraphernalia,” he paused for a moment in contemplation, “Besides, they really are pretty damn cute, you know?”
Chemelyn laughed, thinking as she did, that Howie was the most adorable man she had ever met.
*****
Kudzu, tropical vines, and Spanish moss draped elegantly across the boughs above, providing shade from the glass domed ceiling. Tropical flowers bloomed profusely, casting their rich scent on the breeze, intoxicating the passerby. Orchids, birds of paradise, and a plethora of tropical ferns grew in excess, an artful array of some of God’s most ornate and opulent creations. The paved walkway wound through the contained wilderness; had it not been for the occasional directional sign or mounted educational plaque, one would have never known this paradise was located in the heart of Seattle, the Pacific Science Center to be exact.
Howie and Chemelyn promenaded through the luxurious exhibit, reveling in the sights and faint, recorded sounds of the rain forest. Birds flew freely, as colorful and exotic as the surrounding foliage.
As they strolled, Howie seemed to pay more attention to the woman at his side rather than their environment. Since the exhibit was held at a steady 80 degrees farenheight to maintain the plants and animals within, she had shed her light sweater, tying it about her waist. Meanwhile, her shoulders and upper back were left exposed, shimmering with a slight sheen, reflecting the temperature. The halter top she had worn beneath the sweater bared a good portion of her creamy skin and combined with the induced humid climate, the way her hair fluttered in the slight breeze of the circulation fans, and his own increased body temperature, the enticement was almost more than he could bear.
She caught him starring at her then, and gave him a questioning glance. Darting a glimpse left, then right, and finding themselves surrounded by couples, families, and individuals, Howie leaned close to whisper his next words.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but......this is the best and worst place I’ve ever been.”
Chemelyn’s brow furrowed in confusion and displeasure at the thought of his dissatisfaction. “What do you mean?” she asked, halting in her tracks.
“Keep walking -oh God, keep walking.....” Shoving his hands deep within his pockets, Howie sped the pace up a bit, intending on fulfilling that statement.
“I don’t understand. What’s wrong?”
“I, uh, nothing. Look at that great tree up ahead. Isn’t that a great tree?” he swallowed with more than a little difficulty.
“That’s it,” Chemelyn planted her feet firmly, forcing their hurried gait to come to a stop. “Talk to me.”
“Chem....”
“Why won’t you look at me?” she inquired quietly, licking her lips nervously, nearly eliciting a groan from the man beside her.
Heaving a sigh as he suddenly realized that she would not let the matter rest, Howie stealed himself before meeting her gaze head on. “I’m not looking at you, nor touching you for that matter, because I can’t be responsible for what I might do.”
“What you might......”
“If ever you’ve been tempting before, you are certainly more than desirable right now. In fact I....”
“You?” she prompted, a lopsided smile growing on her lips.
“I want you, Chemelyn Clavaro. Every infuriating, naive, sexy, irresistible inch of you.”
Her eyes widened to pools of come hither indigo, a light sparking within their depths that Howie thought he had never fully seen before. While it was somewhat familiar, he had never had the pleasure of seeing the sort of intensity they now possessed. And it made his heart stop beating for an instant before speeding up like a run away train. His breath came in shallow gasps as his chest and other sensitive regions tightened. She was so beautiful and she didn’t even try.
He realized suddenly, that they had begun to walk again. Chemelyn had a firm grasp of his arm as she directed them down a sharp, little used side path. A pair of double doors loomed at the end of the short avenue, which she wasted no time pushing through aggressively.
As they entered another glass domed room, he felt his breath catch yet again. They halted suddenly, hands clasped firmly, their sweating palms mingling. This exhibit was the same as the last except for one major, astounding, majestic difference. Instead of the occasional free ranging bird, the scene was filled with several hundred butterflies. Of all colors, shapes, sizes, and origins, the magnificent winged creatures floated on breezes all around them. Freely, with no restrictions, they sailed on the air, fluttering and gliding at their whim. A large monarch swept past their faces. Howie could almost feel the soft texture of it’s wings on his features.
He gazed at Chemelyn then, a beautiful vision with a backdrop as foreign and elegant as could be. With the butterflies creating a halo behind her form, Howie gently tugged on her hand to reclaim her attention. She turned to him willingly, a gentle smile curving her lips. Not a word passed between them; there was nothing that was not already said in silent communication just by losing themselves in one another’s eyes.
Slowly, tenderly, Howie cupped her face in his hands, rubbing his thumbs across her soft cheeks. She reciprocated his touch by letting her fingers dance across the sensitive nape of his neck, urging him to kiss her. Not wanting to rush a moment such as this, he first feathered light kisses on her neck and bare shoulders, dropping his hands to caress her back. Unable to satiate his need for the feel of her skin, Howie let his fingers dip beneath the fabric of her shirt, nestling at the small of her back, lightly stroking her tender flesh, occasionally brushing below the waist of her form fitting black pants. Her felt more than heard her moan; she was pressed so close their bodies were nearly fused as one.
When her fingers buried themselves in his curling locks, tugging gently as an insistent reminder of her need, Howie let his head raise from her neck to pay homage to her lips. He teasingly brushed his mouth across hers before letting their lips settle together, melding into a kind of rhapsody neither had experienced to date. Something about their kisses made his head spin, his heart ache, and his spirit rejoice. That moment, in the middle of the exhibit with the glass panels like diamonds, would remain forever imprinted in their memories. Each would recall it as the day their souls touched.
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